Nowra Athletics Club members travelled to West Dapto on Saturday 15th June for the return match of the McCaffrey Challenge with Kembla Joggers.
As usual, Nowra had some good results but were simply overwhelmed in some races. Kembla Joggers,as a bigger club, simply had the numbers over Nowra as well as plenty of talent of course! Stay tuned for some possible changes next year to make a more equitable Challenge. Nonetheless everyone still enjoyed the afternoon of running on this customised course and took advantage of the opportunity for social connection with other like-minded athletes. The Club thanks Kembla Joggers for their continued support of our sport and for their friendship with Nowra.
In the 1km there were 26 competitors but only 1 Nowra athlete. Aiden McLaren flew the flag for Nowra and ran in 26th.
In the 2km event there were 25 runners. First home for Nowra was Myra Betts in 7th place clocking 8:48.43 with Trae Yenne just behind her in 8th place. Next home for Nowra was Mali Mustapic in 20th place and then Heidi McLaren and Scott McLaren were 24th and 25th.
Reilly Caswell took the win for Nowra in the 3km event in 11:06.94. Matthew Higham ran in 6th in 12:01.05 and Hamish McLaren was 9th in 12:04.61. Emily McLaren was 13th in 13:13.76 and Lachlan Rabey was 17th in 13:35.23. Next home was Darcy Arnold in 22nd then Alisha Mustapic (24th), William Anderson (26th), and Harriet Urquhart (30th).
In the 4kms Will Dyball finished on the podium in 3rd place clocking 14.33.46, a personal best time for him. Ethan Havadjia was 8th and Alexis Charalambous, also clocking a PB, was 9th. Running in 11th was Erin Smart followed by Ella Dyball in 12th, these two also achieving PB’s on the day. Runner extraordinaire Peter Dooley was 14th then Toby Dyball was 17th. Phillip Duncan was 23rd then Angela Bond 25th, Lucy Duncan 27th, Anna Duncan 28th, Angela Urquhart 29th, Lisa Carroll 31st, Alex Arnold 33rd, Andrew Havadjia 34th and John Price 35th.
From 70 competitors, long course winner was Nowra’s Robin Vonk in 27:39.07. Nowra also claimed 2nd place with Matt Lewis in 27:46.46 and narrowly missing the podium was Bradley Sawyers in 4th in 29:12.26.
Next home for Nowra was Perry Strand in 15th place then Peter Khourey was 28th. Michael Duncan was 36th and then Andy Waller, running a massive PB,was 41st and Gavin Dyball was 42nd. First female home for Nowra was Rebecca Cooper in 49th place. Milton Cox was 61st and Geoff Crook was 67th.
Well done to all the runners who made the trip to West Dapto. We look forward to our continued relationship with Kembla Joggers in the future.